The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menand

"The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas" is a historical account of the development of pragmatism, one of America's most significant philosophical movements. The book explores the lives and intellectual journeys of four influential thinkers - Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., William James, Charles Sanders Peirce, and John Dewey. The narrative centers around the Metaphysical Club, a conversational group these men formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1872. Through their discussions, they developed the pragmatist belief that ideas are not mere reflections of reality but tools for action and problem-solving. The book also examines how their ideas influenced American thought and policy in areas such as law, education, and social reform.

The 14984th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 1

This book was first published in 2001

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